Arkansas Blog

Arkansas Senate primary stands, judges rule

A three-judge panel considering a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the drawing of district lines for an East Arkansas state Senate district, won't bar certification of primary results in the Senate race in which the black plaintiff, Sen. Jack Crumbly, was defeated for the nomination by Rep. Keith Ingram. (Who is white.)

The three-judge panel said it viewed this request in the same way it viewed an earlier request to halt the primary election. It said then that the decision should not be viewed as a comment on the merits of the lawsuit. Crumbly has contended his new district wasn't drawn with a sufficient black majority to ensure his election.